Effect of strain rate and temperature on deformation behavior of closed-cell ZnAl12 hybrid foam

Abstract

Stir casting technique has been applied to synthesize ZnAl12 hybrid foam to study the effect of temperature on the deformation behavior of the composite. Cenosphere particles (CPs) were used as thickening agent to increase the viscosity of melt and also used as a space holder to create microporosity into the structure. CaH2 (0.5 wt%) was used as the foaming agent. The relative density of ZnAl12 hybrid foam was found between 0.27–0.40. The synthesized hybrid foam was put under microstructural investigation and for compressive deformation behavior at high temperature. The effect of strain rate was observed at constant temperature (100 °C) varying strain rate from 0.001/s to 1/s and the effect of temperature was studied at constant strain rate (0.01/s) varying temperature in the range of 100 °C–250 °C. It is noted that higher relative density with high strain rate has higher plateau stress and energy absorption capacity at a steady temperature. The values of plateau stress and energy absorption capacity decreases as an increase in the temperature range. Densification strain has been found less effect of strain rate and temperature but it varies according to relative density.